Background The surgery for femtosecond laser created laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK)flaps has made great progression recent year,but the postoperative corneal wound healing and regeneration of nerve fibers after surgery are closely concerned.Objective This study was to compare and analyze the clinical outcomes between FEMTO LDV femtosecond laser flap and mechanical microkeratome Hansatome flap in LASIK.Methods A prospective case-controlled study was designed.The serial 38 myopic eyes of 38 patients were included from March through July,2010 in Henan Armed Police Force General Hospital.The patients were randomized into FEMTO LDV femtosecond laser assisted flap group(20 patients/20 eyes)and mechanical microkeratome Hansatome assisted flap group(18 patients/18 eyes)with the matched age,gender and refraction of spherical equivalent.HRT Ⅲ examinations were performed before surgery,1 week,1 month and 3 months after surgery to compare the morphological changes atthe center and margin of the flaps,and evaluate the similarities and differences of cellular morphology after surgery between the two approaches.Written informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to this medical trial.Results The best corrected visual acuity was ≥ 1.0 and the refract diopter was similar in both groups(+0.21 D±0.48 D and-0.04 D±0.54 D)1 month after LASIK.The corneal thickness was insignificant increased in the first week after LASIK,and the density of shallow stromal cells was decreased in 1 week,1 month and 3 months compared with pre-operation in the femtosecond laser assisted flap group(t =-27.99,-25.49,-28.87,P ＜ 0.01).In the Hansatome assisted flap group,significantly thickened corneal epithelium was seen in the first week after LASIK compared before LASIK(56.73 μm±2.47 μm versus 51.16 μm±1.11 μm)(t=9.29,P＜0.05),and the density of shallow stromal cells was decreased in 1 week,1 month and 3 months compared with pre-operation in the Hansatome assisted flap group(t =-17.57,-14.13,-19.63,P =0.00).The density of high reflective interface particles in cornea was lower in 1 week,1 month and 3 months after LASIK in the femtosecond laser assisted flap group than that in the Hansatome assisted flap group,showing significant differences between them(t =-13.505,-11.900,-14.084,P＜0.01).The active stromal cells were seen beneath the interface in both groups in the first week and gradually decreased after that time.Intact corneal nerve fibers were found in the femtosecond laser assisted flap group,but those in the Hansatome assisted flap group were shorter and smaller 3 months after LASIK.At 3 months after surgery,the flap margin showed stromal higher reflection and irregular secondary fibrosis in the femtosecond laser assisted flap group,and in contrast,the flap margin had the appearance of a unclearly identified fibrotic scar in the Hansatome assisted flap group.Conclusions Compared with the LASIK and Hansatome assisted flap,the LASIK with FEMTO LDV flap shows earlier nerve fiber regeneration and greater fibrotic scarring,which imply a good wound healing process in the LASIK with FEMTO LDV flap.

Objective To study the relationship between coronary arteriographic and fluorescence fundus angiographic characteristics in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart disease.Methods The study was carried out by the analysis of the data from coronary arteriography and fluorescence fundus angiography in 203 type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart disease in different groups divided according to age or total cholesterol level. Logisitic regression analysis was applied to explore various risk factors to angiographic characteristics.Results With advancing age,there were more involvement of 3 coronary vessels or the left main branch along with stageⅢretinopathy,but less single vessel diseases in the coronary arteries and less stageⅠretinopathy.The difference in coronary angiographic and fluorescence fundus angiographic characteristics between groups with different total cholesterol levels was not significant.Logistic regression analysis suggested that coronary artery diaease was related to age,sex and blood glucose and triglyceride levels while diabetic retinopathy was related to blood glucose level and age.Conclusion There is great difference in coronary arteriography and fluorescence fundus angiography among different age groups.Aging may aggravate the lesions both in the coronary arteries and fundal vessels in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart diseease.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological manifestations of early renal amyloidosis (AL) and its diagnostic criteria.

METHODSFifteen cases with early renal amyloidosis admitted from 1994 to 2001 were collected from the hospital, and their clinical and pathological features were reviewed. Of them, the initial diagnoses were not made by depending findings from the light microscopy (LM) and immunofluorescense (IF), but confirmed by electron microscopy (EM) afterwards. Immuno-electron microscopy (IEM) were applied for amyloidosis typing.

RESULTSMost patients of early renal AL were in the middle to old age. Nephrotic syndrome was the most prominent symptoms and signs accompanying with rare microscopic hematuria and hypertension. Most of them had a normal renal function. Pathological examinations of renal biopsies using LM and IF showed mild mesangial proliferation and mild thickening of glomerular basement membrane (GBM). Immunoglobulins and complements were negative or only scanty in certain cases, but in all cases there was a light chain protein deposition homogeously. There were 4 cases of minimal change glomerulopathy, 5 cases of mild mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, 5 cases of stage I membranous nephropathy, and 1 case of cast nephropathy diagnosed with LM. The amyloid fibrils (diameter 8 - 10 nm) were randomly distributed in the mesangium, along GBM and at the arteriolar wall under EM. Additionally, Congo red staining was positive. IEM demonstrated that amyloid fibrils labeled with colloid gold was combined with a kind of light chain protein which was confirmed as the light chain type of AL.

CONCLUSIONSThe diagnosis of early renal AL was occasionally neglected by depending only findings of LM and LF. However, special amyloid fibrils can be detected using EM. EM observation is an indispensable technique for the diagnosis of early renal AL and the typing of AL may further be determined by using IEM.

Adult ; Aged ; Amyloidosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Basement Membrane ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Light Chains ; metabolism ; Kidney Diseases ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Microscopy, Immunoelectron ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVEAs our previous comparative proteomics study on high and low metastasis human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell strains revealed that cytokeratin 19 (CK19) was related to higher metastasis potential, we further investigated the relationship between serum CK19 level in HCC patients and their clinico-pathologic characteristics.

METHODSSerum CK19 levels of 101 normal controls and 108 pathology-proven HCC patients were determined using radioimmunoassay, and the their correlation with clinico-pathologic parameters were studied.

RESULTSThe upper limit of one-side 98% confidence interval of normal serum CK19 level was 2.3 microg/L. Among 108 HCC patients, 24 (22.2%) had increased serum CK19 level, ranging from 2.4 to 45.5 microg/L. There were 12 patients (11.1%) with increased CK19 level but normal AFP level. The percentage of poor differentiated tumor was higher in CK19 increased cases (37.5%, 9/24) than in CK19 normal cases (20.2%, 17/84). Moreover, the presence of portal vein tumor emboli was significantly higher in CK19 increased cases (25.0%, 6/24) than in CK19 normal cases (6.0%, 5/84). (Chi-square = 7.403, P < 0.01) In addition, the percentage of TNM stage III/IV tumor was significantly higher in CK19 increased patients (54.2%, 13/24) than in CK19 normal cases. (chi-square = 13.300, P < 0.005)

CONCLUSIONSome HCC patients do have increased serum CK19 level, which could be related to portal vein tumor emboli, poor tumor differentiation and advanced tumor stages.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Keratins ; blood ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; genetics ; Proteome ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pathologic features and diagnostic algorithm of light chain nephropathy (LCN).

METHODSSeven cases of LCN were studied by light microscopy, electron microscopy and immunolabeling of light chains (kappa, lambda) by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy.

RESULTSThe histopathology of 7 cases by light microscopy was variable, with 3 cases showing nodular glomerulosclerosis, 1 case showing mild to moderate mesangial proliferation, and 3 cases showing cast nephropathy with minimal glomerular change. Immunofluorescence study revealed positive staining of a single type of light chain in mesangium (nodular pattern) or along glomerular basement membrane (linear), along tubular basement membrane and around arteriolar walls in all the 7 cases. Ultrastructurally, electron-dense granular deposits were identified in mesangium, subendothelial aspect of glomerular basement membrane, outer aspect of tubular basement membrane and arteriolar walls. Immunogold labeling of light chains showed distinct labeling of a single type light chain in the granular electron-dense materials (5 cases being kappa-positive and 2 being lambda-positive).

CONCLUSIONSLCN typically shows nodular glomerulosclerosis. The ultrastructural change is characteristic and important for diagnosis. Immunolabeling of light chains by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy carries further diagnostic value, especially in cases with minimal light microscopic change.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental ; immunology ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Light Chains ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains ; immunology ; Kidney Diseases ; immunology ; pathology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; immunology ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Microscopy, Immunoelectron ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE Lychee seed, a famous traditional Chinese medicine, recently were reported to improve the learning and memory abilities in mice. However, it is still unclear whether lychee seed saponins (LSS) can improve the cognitive function and associated mechanisms. METHODS In present studies, we established the Alzheimer disease (AD) model by injecting Aβ25-35 into the lateral ventricle of rats. Then the spatial learning and memory abilities of LSS- treated rats were evaluated with the Morris water maze, meanwhile the protein expressions of AKT, GSK3β and Tau in the hippo?campal neuron were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS The results showed LSS can improve the cognitive functions of AD rats through shortening the escape latency, increasing the number across the platform, platform quadrant dwell time and the percentage of the total distance run platform quadrant. The protein expression of AKT was significantly up-regulated and that of GSK3β and Tau were decreased remarkably in the hippocampal CA1 area. CONCLUSION Our study is the first to show that LSS significantly improve the cognitive function and prevent hippocampal neuronal injury of the rats with AD by activation of the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway, suggesting LSS may be developed into the nutrient supplement for the treatment of AD.

OBJECTIVETo clarify three-grade criteria of curative resection for primary liver cancer (PLC) and evaluate their clinical significance.

METHODSCriteria of curative resection of PLC were summed up to three grades. Grade I: complete removal of all gross tumors with no residual tumor at the excision margin. Grade II: on the basis of Grade I, there was no extrahepatic metastasis, no hilar lymph node metastasis, no tumor thrombus in the main trunks and their primary tributaries of the portal vein, common hepatic duct, hepatic vein and vena cava inferior, and the tumor was not more than two in number. Grade III: in addition to the above criteria, AFP dropped to normal level (in patients with elevated AFP before surgery) within 2 months after operation, and no residual tumor upon diagnostic imaging. A total of 354 cases with PLC who had their liver resected was reviewed. Patients in each grade were divided into two portions depending on whether the treatment was curative or palliative.

RESULTSThe survival of patients receiving curative treatment was better than those receiving palliative treatment (P < 0.01). This was true for patients whose treatment belonged to anyone of the three-grade criteria. The survival was improved along with the promotion of curative criteria used. The 5-year survival rate of Grade I, II and III patients undergone curative resection was 43.2%, 51.2% and 64.4%, respectively (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION1. The three-grade criteria may be used for judging the radicality of tumor resection for PLC. 2. The more stringent the criteria used, the better the survival would be. 3. Adopting high-grade criteria to select cases, to guide operation and postoperative follow-up would improve the results of liver resection for PLC.

Female ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; mortality ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Survival Rate

The Cry1Ab differs most significantly from the other related ICPs by its absence of a carboxyl terminus of 28 amino acids including four cysteines; consequently it is less stable. We report that the helper protein P20 plays a role in the expression and crystallization of Cry1Ab. Three Cry1Ab expression plasmids pT1B, pP1B, and pDP1B, were constructed based on the shuttle vector pHT3101. The vector pT1B does not contain the p20 gene, pP1B carries p20, and pDP1B contains p20 with cry1A(c) promoter. Transformants were obtained by electroporating the plasmids into Bacillus thuringiensis acrystalliferous mutant CryB. Western blot demonstrated that crylAb was expressed as a 130 kD protein in all the transformants, and some of the protein was partially degraded into a 60 kD peptide. Quantitative protein analysis indicated that the amount of the 130 kD protein varied in the transformants and was in the ratio of 1:1.4:1.5 for PT1B, pP1B and pDP1B respectively. For the 60 kD proteins, the ratio was 1:1.1:1.6. Microscopic examination revealed that the size of the typical pyramidal crystals in the three transformants was in the order of T1B < P1B < DP1B. Bioassay showed that T1B, P1B and DP1B were all toxic to the larvae of Helicoverpa armigera with similar LC50. This study suggested that P20 plays a role in the expression and crystallization of Cry1Ab.
Animals ; Bacillus thuringiensis ; genetics ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Biological Assay ; methods ; Blotting, Western ; Electroporation ; Endotoxins ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Hemolysin Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Moths ; drug effects ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics

In an attempt to study the immunoregulatory effect of osteoblasts derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), MSC was induced to differentiate into osteoblasts for one week. The growth pattern and the phenotype were evaluated by MTT and flow cytometry respectively. The immunoregulatory effect was tested by the inhibitory effect on T cell proliferation. The result showed that during the differentiation cells grew fast and there was no significant change in the phenotypes but keeping CD73, CD105, CD44, CD29 positive and CD34, CD45, HLA-DR, CD86 negative. Osteocyte derived from MSC also showed immunosuppressive effect on T cell proliferation in adose-dependent manner. It is concluded that osteoblasts derived from MSC also harbored immunoregulatory effect.
Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Cell Differentiation ; immunology ; Cell Lineage ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology

OBJECTIVE Identification of novel autophagy inhibitors for the combinational treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS MTT assay and annexin V/PI staining assay were used to evaluate the cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. Immunofluorescence staining and cathepsin activity assay were used to detect autophagy. Small interfering RNA was performed to silence the genes and Western blot assay was used to evaluate the protein express levels. Xenograft experiments were applied for in vivo evaluation. RESULTS Cepharanthine, a natural compound, increased LC3-II expression and GFP-LC3 puncta formation in NSCLC NCI-H1975 cells. Numerous yellow puncta were observed in cepharanthine- treated cells with mRFP- EGFP- LC3 transfection. Co-staining of GFP-LC3 with LysoTracker red or LAMP1 antibody suggested that cepharanthine inhibits autophagosomes- lysosomes fusion. Moreover, cepharanthine attenuated the lysosomal cathepsins maturation. We also confirmed that dacomitinib induced cytoprotective autophagy. Combined treatment with cepharanthine increased the anti- cancer effects of dacomitinib in vitro and in vivo. Besides, cepharanthine could not enhance the anti-cancer effect of dacomitinib in autophagy deficient cells. CONCLUSION Cepharanthine might be further developed as a promising autophagic inhibitor, and combined treatment cepharanthine with dacomitinib could pose as an effective strategy for NSCLC treatment.